Stand-To!- Sexual assault prevention, response program resources - March 18, 2008

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Edition: Tue, March 18, 2008
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SENIOR LEADERS ARE SAYING

"We have found that when we put Iraqi army and coalition forces in a patrol base in an area like Summers, the population comes to us and gives us that refined intelligence, so that we can do precise operations against any al Qaeda that may be in the area."

-Col. Tom James, commander, 4th Brigade Combat Team in Iraq.

Operation Marne rugged pressures extremists

TODAY'S FOCUS

Sexual assault prevention, and response program and resources

What leaders are saying:

“Sexual assault is a crime that is incompatible with Army values and the Warrior Ethos. Sexual assault directly and negatively impacts readiness across the force. One incident is one too many.”

“Soldiers must continue to live by the Army values and treat each other with dignity and respect. By doing so, we will make great strides toward eliminating sexual assault in our Army.”

“Soldiers must protect and take care of each other and reinforce the "battle buddy" concept to help prevent sexual assault from happening to others.”

What is it?

The Army Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) program reinforces the Army's commitment to eliminate incidents of sexual assault through a comprehensive program that centers on awareness and prevention along with training and education. Policy also emphasizes victim advocacy, response, reporting, accountability and program assessment. The Army SAPR program promotes sensitive care and confidential reporting for victims of sexual assault and accountability for those who commit these crimes.

What has the Army done?

The Army is making great strides toward implementing effective sexual assault prevention and response programs and facilitating a culture intolerant to sexual assault. Current focus is to reinforce “bystander intervention (responsible buddy behavior)” to help prevent sexual assault from happening to others. Soldiers are consistently committed to the safety and well-being of fellow Soldiers in any situation or circumstance. We take care of our battle buddies.

The Army continues to aggressively address sexual assault issues, focusing on prevention, caring for victims, prosecuting perpetrators whenever possible and constant monitoring and refinement of our policies and programs. The training package, “Implementing Prevention - Bystander Intervention Training," facilitates the goal of creating an empowering climate: one where every Soldier is aware of the issues surrounding sexual violence, and where any behavior that might potentially facilitate sexual violence is not tolerated.

The Bystander Intervention Training reinforces responsible battle buddy behavior by presenting scenarios in which participants determine: if a sexual assault has occurred, how a bystander might have intervened, and, detecting the warning signs of a potential sexual assault.


• Current SAPR training DVD content and supporting materials

• Commander’s sexual assault victim assistance checklist


How does this help the Army?

By encouraging Soldiers to ASK…ACT…INTERVENE, we establish a command climate of prevention that is predicated on mutual respect and trust, that recognizes and embraces diversity, and that values the contributions of all of its members.

INFORMATION YOU CAN USE

• 2008 Strategic Communication Guide - Read the 2008 Army Strategic Communication Guide for key messages and updates

• Strategic Communication Coordination Group (SCCG) Workspace

• Army Public Affairs Portal

• Stories of Valor

NEWS ABOUT THE ARMY

• MILCON: Fort Riley getting makeover (ARNews)
• Keeping precious cargo safe (ARNews)
• Army employee helping in Albania after deadly explosions (ARNews)
• Army sets way ahead for correspondence course testing (ARNews)

WAR ON TERROR NEWS

• Gates, Rice arrive in Russia to discuss European missile defense (AFIS)
• U.S. adapts cold-war idea to fight terrorists (NYT)
• Cheney visits Baghdad and praises war effort; bomb kills 40 in Karbala (WP)

OF INTEREST

• Col.: DOD delayed brain injury scans (USA)
• U.S.-Russia talks to start on upbeat note (WP)
• Incentives package prepared for Iran (WT)
• Saddam's dangerous friends(WS)

WORLD VIEW

• U.S. and Russia begin talks on missile defense (IHT | Story)
• Afghan blast kills NATO soldiers (BBC | Story)
• Opinion: The war in Iraq: Five years later (IHT | Story)
• Iraq key players, then and now (BBC | Story)

WHAT'S BEING SAID IN BLOGS

• The fog of life (GC)
• Homecoming (N2G)
• Mohammed Rahim: High-value detainee, low-value news? (WPR)
• Russia's European courtship (WPR)
• U.S. Army welcomes their littlest Soldier!! (SF)